Minichick

I have been hungry the past few days! It isn't head hunger, I get my fluids, I get around 80 grams of protein, and I am on Nexium. I AM HUNGRY!! Like non stop! If I eat a few bites it is gone. I also drank a 16 oz smoothie/ shake today.. and didn't feel my full feeling. I am on mushies & eat filling meat based meals & typically 1 snack a day.

So, here's my 9 months picture. I'm FINALLY seeing the loss. That's my NSV for today!

Well hello everyone,
As you read in my earlier post "worst decision I ever made" I have had a really rough time since I had my sleeve surgery on May 3,2012. I am happy to report that I was once again put in the hospital on Tuesday for dehydration. My doctor decided to go back in and do a scope on me to see if he could figure out what all my problems were coming from. When he went inside my tummy with a camera there was a piece of scar tissue that appeared to be causing a little obstruction. He also stretched my esphogas. He also went back into two of my incesions to check the outside of my tummy. The staple line and all else was perfect. He removed the piece of scar tissue and I have actually been able to eat a small amount of food today and was able to drink some fluids and hold them down.
I feel better today than I have in the last month. I actually have been up all day moving around and doing stuff around my house. Before I was so weak and sick I slept most of the day.
I just want to thank everyone who gave me so much support and sent me lots of prayers through this difficult time in my life. I feel like I am finally on the road to recovery : ) Still have a little ways to go but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...
Everyone have a super blessed day : )

Hi everyone,
I was sleeved on may 17,2012 at New York Hospital Queens. I am looking for WLS buddies. If you're interested add me as friend or send a PM.
Thanks guys and so excited to meet you all.
Happy Memorial Day.

I just had my surgery on the 7th and I did the same thing. I went from being sad to an I can do this attitude. It is an emotional roller coaster because of the addiction. I am almost 3 weeks out and I am finding it easier to eat. My energy levels were up and down and kind of still are depending on if I am getting my fluids in. I mourn food even though my stomach is not hungry your head still thinks you should eat all the time. I have cried and laughed and been excited about the weight loss. My hormones are totally out of whack. I have found my tastes have changed but for the better. I seem to want more healthy food (not that I do not miss the bad ones).
BUT..... it does get better with each passing day. Do not let the food win the battle because it does not care about you lol. Take one day at a time. Some are good and some not so much but you will get there as well as I will. Good luck.

Drink water, have healthier munching alternatives such as baby carrots. I had surgery two weeks ago, I am not hungry at all, it's hard to just get fluids in. god luck!

Stay strong!! You can do it!!!

Pebbles it may seem like the sleeve is new, but it's actually not. There's a category of overweight called the Extreme Morbidly Obese. For those the option that was chosen over gastric bypass was a surgery called the Duodenal Switch. Patients would go through all the hoops and have the sleeve surgery. They would lose a certain amount of weight and then about 10 months to a year later they would go back in for a second surgery, the duodenal switch.
Doctors started to note that goal weight was being achieved with just the Gastric Sleeve and the second part of the surgery was canceled. Since the sleeve was considered part of a two-part (two surgeries) it does not have it's own Medicare Code. Many insurance companies sort of follow what the Government considers the norm.
Also, since it was not considered a stand-alone surgery it took a little while to get the data back on where the sleeve stands in comparison to Lap Band and Gastric Bypass. There have been so many issues in the past with lap band, and now so many revisions, or people having to get it taken out and problems with adhesions many surgeons are backing away from doing lap band lately because of it.
The sleeve has been around for a while now, but the statistics are showing that in the long run it is comparable with Gastric Bypass with less complications from dumping, malnutrition, etc. Of course, it's a surgery so it's not full-proof, some people have issues with it.
I only wanted the sleeve, I had no interest in Gastric Bypass, however, with Gastric Bypass there is less issue with GERD or acid reflux, that has given me some pause because I suffer from acid reflux, but then I realized, wow that's because i was eating late at night and eating too much. Since I started the 6 month pre-supervised diet I haven't had any issues with acid reflux in months and I haven't been sleeved yet.
Good luck on your decision making and what you are doing is awesome, research research research and start working on adjusting the way you eat now, eat your meats first, vegetables second, lower your carbs, and try practice not drinking with your dinner, try to lower your caffeine in advance because you will have to give up caffeine. Try to monitor what you are eating in advance by joining something like myfitnesspal.com and keep track of your Water, Protein & carb intakes.

Ok ladies. I literally went eBay nuts and should have just waited... I have a bunch of dresses size 10/12. $7.00 each plus shipping. They are all too big for me. I would just give them away, but I bought like 30 and probably paid $30 a piece, plus two dresses for $100 a piece for special occasions. Ralph Lauren size 12 and laundry size 12. I just want $7.00 for those too. I seriously am not buying anything else until I stay the same weight for a few months. Even if I have to wear the same 5 outfits a week. Let me know I take PayPal and have ok taste I think no crazy flower moo moos

Emily is right... You CAN do this. It's only 7 more days... The post op diet is there for a reason, to minimize risks. Would you rather have broth for one more week or a complication? Do anything you can to keep your mind off of food, stay busy and the week will fly by.

My doctor's office gave us some instruction in advanced. Please excuse any typos, I am going to retype what I was given. I will try to scan the Bypass/Sleeve Soft Diet sheets that I was given later if anyone needs.
Here's a sample menu for pureed diet:
PUREED DIET - SUGGESTIONS AND EXAMPLES
Breakfast
1/4 cup high Protein cooked Cereal
1/4 cup pureed low sodium/low fat meat
1 chewable sugar-free complete Vitamin
Snack
1/2 cup pureed fruit
lunch
1/4 cup cottage cheese (lowfat)
1/4 cup pureed fruit
snack
1 cup High Protein shake
dinner
1/2 cup mashed potatoes with low fat gravy
1/2 cup broth
1 chewable sugar free complete vitamin
snack
1 sugar-free fudgiscle
This sample menu provides approximately 80 grams of protein and 885 caloires - SIP Water throughout the day
------
High Protein Pureed Diet recipes
Cheeseburger
3 oz. lean chicken or turkey
1 slice fat-free cheese
2 tbs.p warm beef broth
1/2 hamburger bun
Cook meat and drain fat. Add all ingredients except broth to blender and puree on high. Gradually add broth to desired consistency
Yield 1 serving
Calories 309
Protein 27.0 grams
Chicken Stew
1 Cup Chicken, cooked and cubed
1/4 cup rice, cooked
1/4 cup mixed vegetables, cooked
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
Blend together
Yield 3 servings
Calories (per serving) 120
Protein (per serving) 15.0 grams
Fish
4oz. Whitefish fillet
4 tsp. nonfat tarter sauce
Warm skim milk (as needed)
Cook fish by baking or broiling. Place fish and nonfat tarter sauce in blender. Puree on high speed. Gradually add milk to make mashed potato consistency.
Yield: 2 servings
Calories (per serving) 116
Protein (per serving) 15.0 grams
French Toast
1 slice frozen French Toast
"I can't believe it's not butter!" spray
3 tbsp. warm sugar-free syrup
Warm french toast according to package. Spray with I can't believe it's not butter. Cut into quarters. Place all ingredients in blender. Puree on high until smooth consistency is achieved.
Yield 1 serving
Calories: 171
Protein 4.0 grams
Grilled Cheese
1 slice whole wheat/high Fiber bread
2 slices fat-free American cheese
I can't believe its not butter spray
3 tbsp warm skim milk
Heat non-stick pan over medium heat. Spray one side of bread with I can't believe it's not butter side down on pan, top with cheese and heat until cheese melts and bread is toasted brown. Fold sandwich in half and cut into four pieces. Place in blender and puree on high, adding milk until smooth. Adjust the amount of milk used for thicker or thinner consistency.
Yield 1 serving
Calories 146
Protein: 12.0 grams
High Protein Breakfast Shake
1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 small banana
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk
Mix all ingredients together in blender
Yield 1 serving
Calories 125 per serving
Protein 12.0 grams per serving
High Protein Mashed Potatoes
2 tbsp mashed potato mix
1/2 cup hot skim milk
2 tbsp. nonfat dry milk
Mix nonfat dry mil with skim milk and heat to a boil. Add mashed potato mix. Mix well with a wire wisk. Mix thickens as it stands
Use Butter buds or fat-free gravy to add flavor
Yield 1 serving
Calories 148
Protein 10.0 grams
Chicken/Fish/Turkey
4oz meat cooked
6 tbsp. low fat gravy
Chop meat into small pieces, blend on high speed, gradually adding gravy until desired consistency
Yield 2 servings
Calories (per serving) 126
Protein (per serving) 16.0 grams
Tuna salad
1 6 oz. can light tuna in spring water, drained
2 tbsp. fat-free Miracle Whip
1tsp mustard
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. celery salt
Add all ingredients to blender. Puree on high until smooth. Refrigerate
Note: May substitute canned chicken for tuna
Yield: 3 servings
Calories (per serving): 60
Protein (per serving) 11.0 grams

So you know how sometimes the weight can't come off fast enough, and we tend to convince ourselves that 1,2 or 3 pounds a week isn't enought. Well today I went for a 10 mile bike ride, and let me tell you, I felt the difference. I'm down 50# from my highest weight, but wow the difference in my stamina and endurance is amazing. I just had to throw it out there get physical and if your mind won't let you see your physical changes your body sure does let you feel them. I love my sleeve.

I can't wait...

to hear... WOW, you're a beautiful Sista.. and not.. You're a Big, Beautiful Sista!! LOL.. I know.. I wanna X the big!!!

I can't wait....

to go to the amusement parks w/ my family and RIDE everything!!! (And also have a spa weekend w/o fearing they don't have Big girl robes, towels or tables!!)

I can't wait...

To travel abroad and not fear being wedged in an itty bitty seat for 10-16 hours!!

I CAN'T WAIT....

TO accept my BF and college roommates request that I stand as the Maid of Honor at her wedding next year.. because I don't want to mess up her wedding photos with my gu-butt (Gut and butt)

Hi everyone, I just wanted to post an updated photo of my progress. I still have a ways to go but I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far.

Post op is scary. Your fear is normal and healthy. keep reading as much as you can. I went in expecting it to be tough and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. I did get nauseous and when I did, I let my nurse know. They will give you anti-nausea medication which controls it. I did vomit once during the swallow test on day 2. That stuff was gross but, it only lasted a minute or two.
While you are in the hospital, take the pain meds and the anti-nausea meds. There is no heroes medal for sticking it out without meds! sleep when you can and get as much rest as you can. When you aren't resting, WALK! The more you walk, the better you will feel. Walk as soon as they let you and walk often to help dissipate the gas.
Go into that operating room knowing that you are coming out a new person, one whose old life and weight related baggage will be gone soon. The surgery and the post-op week are just the toll you are paying to cross the bridge. Focus on the outcome, be at peace with your decision, and know that this is just a means to an end and it's temporary. You will feel better in a week or two!
I am 7 weeks out and I feel fantastic. Everyday, I lose a little more and every day I notice the changes. This is the best decision I have ever made for myself and it will be good for you too.
Keep a positive outlook and focus on the future, it will help you get through the days that will be hard.
Good luck! Can't wait to see you on the loser's bench!!!!!!

Landed in San Diego. Waiting for the driver

I'm being sleeved on May 17thby Dr. Castro in Queens NY. Yay for us

Hi! I'm sort of in the same position. I was sleeved on 03/27/12. At my dr. Appt in April I had lost 24 lbs. I don't know how much I have lost since then but i'm just starting to see a difference in my clothing. It will take a while. Just because you aren't seeing it in your clothing doesn't mean you aren't losing weight. Your body will reallocation and then you will notice a big drop. Keep in mind, your body is in a state of shock right now and is try to catch up to what is happening.
During my Psych consult, the doctor told me something that stuck with me - She said that the body is constantly trying to get back to where it was. Don't let it bring you down, you are doing a great job. Keep your focus on Protein, supplements and fluids right now, everything else is a bonus.

May 14th colorado springs
Ordered my unjury started pack!

I'm being sleeved on May 16th by Dr. Lutfi in Chicago. Any other May people out there?